UAS/C-UAS Systems Integration Specialist

NexTech Solutions LLC; Gainesville (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

NexTech Solutions LLC is seeking an experienced professional to own the integration of unmanned and counter-unmanned systems into mission networks and C2 architecture. The role involves bench testing, validating feeds for TAK/ATAK environments, and packaging configurations for deployed units without contractor presence.

The candidate will fly and build during integration testing, maintain currency on flight stacks, and ensure secure, scalable data sharing across platforms and units.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or equivalent combination of military technical training and experience.
• Minimum 8 years in military or government tech roles, 3+ years unmanned systems experience.
• Experience integrating UAS/C-UAS with TAK/ATAK/WinTAK and data sharing across a network.
• Working knowledge of tactical IP networking, routing, LAN/WAN, servers, and fault isolation.
• Proficiency with two or more ground control/flight stack environments.

Responsibilities

• Integrate UAS and C-UAS systems into TAK-based mission environments to deliver live track data and common operating picture.
• Configure and administer TAK server infrastructure, data packages, and client provisioning.
• Design and maintain data pathways from platform sensors to the COP and resolve data faults.
• Stand up bench test beds for UAS/C-UAS integration and validate end-to-end functionality.
• Provide fielding configurations and unit-level support for deployed architectures.

Skills

Eight+ years military/government tech

UAS/C-UAS integration

TAK/ATAK/WinTAK experience

IP networking in tactical environments

Ground control stack proficiency

Education

Bachelor degree or military/tech equivalent

Tools

TAK

QGroundControl

ArduPilot Mission Planner

Betaflight

Vigilant Spirit

Job description

Description

The Opportunity

This position owns the integration of unmanned and counter-unmanned systems into the supported unit's mission networks and command and control architecture. The work is stateside and technical: stand up the systems on the bench, make sensor and platform feeds land correctly in TAK and the unit common operating picture, validate the architecture against real mission profiles, then package it so the deployed element can employ it without a contractor standing next to them. The incumbent flies and builds when integration testing requires it, not as the primary function.

Key Responsibilities (Principal Duties and Accountabilities *Essential Functions)

Mission Network and C2 Integration

• Integrate UAS and C-UAS systems into TAK based mission command environments to deliver live track data, sensor feeds, and shared mission data to the common operating picture.
• Configure, administer, and troubleshoot TAK server infrastructure, data packages, certificates, and client provisioning across the supported unit.
• Build and maintain the CoT and track data pathways from platform, radar, and RF sensor sources into the COP. Resolve message format, timing, and correlation faults.
• Design and configure the supporting tactical network: IP addressing, routing, VLANs, firewalls, server and router setup, and secure data link fault isolation.
• Establish and sustain full motion video distribution and telemetry pathways from platform to end user across line of sight, satellite, and cellular bearers. Manage transcoding, latency, and bandwidth constraints.
• Integrate C-UAS detect and defeat equipment into the same architecture so detection, identification, and defeat actions are visible to the unit in a single picture.

System Configuration and Bench Integration

• Stand up UAS and C-UAS systems on the bench, configure flight stacks and ground control software, and verify end to end function before anything reaches the unit.
• Configure and flash flight controllers and ground stations including ArduPilot Mission Planner, QGroundControl, Betaflight, and vendor specific ground control software.
• Integrate payloads, radios, and datalinks onto airframes. Resolve control link, video link, and telemetry conflicts, including antenna selection, placement, and frequency planning.
• Perform component level electronics work as integration requires: soldering, harness fabrication, connector repair, and bench diagnostics.
• Design and produce brackets, mounts, and adapters using CAD and additive manufacturing to close integration gaps between COTS components.

Integration Test, Validation, and Assessment

• Write and execute integration test plans that exercise the architecture against realistic mission profiles, not bench ideal conditions.
• Fly platforms as pilot in command when test execution requires live sorties. Maintain currency and platform qualifications sufficient to do so safely.
• Support red team and blue team events by flying threat representative profiles against friendly C-UAS systems and documenting detection, identification, and defeat performance.
• Assess vendor advertised capability against observed performance in the integrated architecture. Report the delta to the program office in writing.
• Characterize behavior in degraded and contested conditions: link loss, GPS denial, bandwidth starvation, and spectrum interference. Document mitigations.

Fielding and Sustainment

• Package integrated configurations for fielding: baseline documentation, configuration files, data packages, spares lists, and load plans.
• Install and validate systems at the unit's home station and training sites. Confirm the architecture works on the unit's own network before deployment.
• Provide reachback technical support to the deployed element. Diagnose and resolve faults remotely where possible. Travel forward when i is not.
• Maintain configuration control across baselines. Track what version is where and what changed.
• Support property accountability for sensitive and high value equipment, including inventory, hand receipts, and shipping and export documentation.

Training and Knowledge Transfer

• Train unit personnel on employment, basic maintenance, network configuration, and emergency procedures for the integrated systems.
• Develop and maintain TTPs, SOPs, quick reference guides, and troubleshooting trees at operator level.
• Deliver practical instruction with performance based evaluation. Assess and document individual proficiency before fielding.
• Build the unit's internal capacity to sustain the architecture without contractor presence.

Program and Customer Support

• Capture emerging requirements from the unit and translate them into engineering, procurement, or technical refresh recommendations.
• Provide written technical reports, integration status, and capability assessments to the program office and the customer.
• Support technology scouting and bench evaluation of candidate platforms, sensors, and software against unit requirements.
• Conduct all activity in accordance with contract scope, ITAR and export control requirements, cybersecurity policy, and applicable airspace and safety regulations.

Requirements

• Fluency in English (written and spoken)
• Must have active Top Secret Security Clearance

Education

• Bachelor degree, or equivalent combination of military technical training and experience.

Required Skills, Experience and Abilities

• Eight or more years of combined military or government service in a technical, communications, special operations, or aviation role.
• Three or more years of hands on unmanned systems experience covering build, configuration, troubleshooting, and flight operations.
• Demonstrated experience integrating UAS or C-UAS systems with TAK, WinTAK, or ATAK, including data sharing and live tracking across a networked user set.
• Working knowledge of IP networking applied to tactical systems: addressing, routing, LAN and WAN configuration, server and router setup, and fault isolation.
• Demonstrated proficiency with at least two ground control or flight stack environments from the following: ArduPilot Mission Planner, QGroundControl, Betaflight, Vigilant Spirit, or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of RF fundamentals, spectrum deconfliction, and antenna theory as applied to control links, video links, and datalinks.
• Hands on electronics skills: soldering, harness fabrication, and component level diagnostics.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and a documented minimum of 100 sUAS flight hours.
• Documented instructor or trainer experience with adult learners in a technical or tactical setting.
• US person as defined under ITAR.

Preferred Qualifications

Special Forces Communications Sergeant (18E) or equivalent SOF communications background, with network architecture and secure data link experience.

TAK server administration experience, including certificate management, data package build, and multi-unit provisioning.

Experience integrating radar, RF detectio